Spicy Green Mango

Inspiration comes in all shapes and sizes and apparently, from all places. For me, it came from my coma-inducing meals on the streets of Thailand where I vowed to begin challenging myself to start crafting newer recipes with some of my favorite Southeast Asian ingredients (think kaffir limes and lemongrass). I know it’s hard for you to imagine that even I, yes, Spicy Green Mango, gets into a rut when it comes to figuring out what to cook for dinner or how to break out of my humdrum routine, but alas, I am only human (albeit a human on the blogosphere).

The opportunity came about a week ago when I entered my recipe into the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program and was among 12 of the lucky featured publishers selected to showcase my creation. When I read the prized ingredients that we were to choose from, I nearly choked on the piece of chicken I had in my mouth. Oh, dear…I must learn how to control my excitement (I’m sure in due time, I’ll become more civilized in my ways).

So, friends, you’re in for a real treat b/c it’s been a while since I posted a recipe. But how could I resist when the folks of Alaska Seafood said they’d send me 10 lbs of their wild, natural and sustainable King Crab legs? So, I didn’t.




While the idea of King Crabs was already a kicker for me (and my hubby who is an avid fan of the The Deadliest Catch), it was also the fact that the the Alaskas seafood industry is a prime example for sustainability which really made me want to delve further into their business model (Forgive me, it’s the business nerd talking).

So, what exactly is sustainable seafood? In a nutshell, it’s seafood that’s managed by fisheries that adhere to environmental standards in fishing practices, therefore ensuring that there will be more fishies and other seafood for us to eat in the future. And did you know that Alaska is the only state that has a mandate written into their Constitution for sustainable seafood? Cool, eh?

And while I realize that there have been ongoing health concerns over the consumption of seafood, it may be helpful to point out that eating seafood that is sustainably harvested is probably your best bet when it comes to getting your heart and brain in tip top condition (thank you, Omega-3 fatties).

Now, onward to the salivation: Imagine sinking your chompers into succulent morsels of Alaska King Crab meat flavored with a tantalizing combination of fragrant lemongrass, kaffir limes and sweet chili marinade. And then, opening up your own steamed parcel of King crab wrapped in fresh (homegrown) banana leaves that's been cooked to perfection with an aroma that will blow you away!



Sweet Chili-Rubbed Lemongrass-Steamed Alaska King Crab in Banana Leaves
Makes about 10 mini banana leaf pouches

• 1-1.5 lbs of Alaska King Crab legs, frozen and chopped into 1” segments
• ½ of 1 lemon or lime, juiced
• ¼ lbs of baby mushrooms (shimeji, shitake or oyster will work fine)
• 1-2 tbs of fish sauce (vary according to personal taste)
• 1 tbs sweet roasted chili soy bean paste
• 1 tbs of Thai tom yum paste
• 3 sprigs of cilantro, finely chopped
• 3 kaffir limes leaves, finely chopped
• 1 lemongrass stalk, finely chopped
• 3 medium sized banana leaves, cleaned, prepped*, and cut into letter-size sheets
• 2-2.5 cups of water for steaming
• Optional:  3 Thai/Lao chili peppers, sliced

Other handy kitchen items:
• 1 sturdy meat cleaver
• 10-20 toothpicks
• 1 large steamer

Directions:
Since this is a Cook It Frozen! recipe, it’s not necessary to thaw the crab legs. In fact, it’s MUCH easier and LESS messier to chop the legs into segments when they’re frozen. Be sure to use a meat cleaver b/c the shells are tough, but they are soo worth the effort! Fill the bottom of your steamer pot with water and bring to a boil.

As you wait for the water to boil, mix all the ingredients together in a bowl, making sure to rub each of the frozen King Crab segments with the chili and tom yum paste. Next, gather a small handful of the mixture and place them in the center of a sheet of banana leaf. Now, there’s really no rhyme or reason as to how to fold the pouch, so get creative with it and remember to seal the top with a toothpick (or two). I made spicy and non-spicy versions of the dish, so I used the toothpick technique to distinguish between the two options.

Finally, steam the pouches for about 15-20 minutes and that's it! Dig in, folks!  Don't forget to brace yourself for unveilng the mini pouches--our guests had eyes wide open and forks already in hand when we opened our first banana leaf. Needless to say the 1st one was gone in less than 60 seconds! 

NOTE:  Eventhough the dish doesn’t seem to have much juice, don’t be alarmed. As the crabs steam in the banana leaves, the water from the frozen crab legs become a juicy broth that’s flavored with the herbs and spices from your rub.


* Prepping the banana leaves: I got my banana leaves from my mom’s backyard, but I understand that may not be feasible for everyone. As an alternative, you can also use parchment paper or aluminum foil to wrap the crab.


You’ll need 3 medium sized leaves. Discard the fibrous vein running through the middle of each leaf. Now, if you simply attempt to wrap the King Crabs with each leaf at this point, you’ll realize that the leaf will start to tear. To prevent the tears form occurring so that you can fold them into pouches, you’ll need to prep each leaf.

Turn on your gas stove burner to a low medium heat and using some heat resistant gloves, carefully hold each leaf about 5 inches above of the flame and gently heat the leaf. You’ll notice that as the parts of the leaf is heated, it will turn from its vibrant green to a slightly brown hue. At this point, the leaf is also somewhat softer and ready to be folded.



My dear hubby also whipped up his famous king crab stir fry recipe with the remaining 8lbs or so of crab legs and that generously  fed over 15 of us at the lunch table.  The recipe is pretty simple as well:


Stir Fried Alaska King Crab w/Thai Basil & Sweet Chili Sauce
Serves at least 15 salivating souls

• 8 lbs of Alaska King Crab legs, frozen and chopped into 2” segments
• 3-4 tbs of oyster sauce
• 3-4 tbs of fish sauce
• 3 tbs sweet roasted chili soy bean paste
• 1 tbs of Thai tom yum paste
• 1 bunch of Thai basil, leaves individually plucked
• ½ lbs of assorted variety mushrooms (I used baby oysters & shitake)
• 3 cloves of garlic, peeled & finely minced
• 1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped
• 3 tbs of extra virgin olive oil

Heat the oil in a wok under medium heat and add the garlic and onions and sautee until onions are translucent.  Add the King Crab legs and the rest of the ingredients with only half of the basil.  Reserve the other half and throw it in the stir fry a few minutes before you turn off the heat.  Stir fry and cover for 10-15 minutes or just until the crabs are nice and heated through.  Remember, King Crab legs are generally pre-cooked already so you just need to heat them up. And that's it! Easy, fresh and it's definitely sure to please your guests.

Papaya salad & fried chicken washed down with the local Chang (elephant brand) beer and some pork larb..food coma central.

From the moment I set foot in Thailand, I instantly knew I was home--well close enough to it, at least. Being greeted by nothing but warm, friendly smiles and the traditional "wai" quickly made me understand the country's namesake as the "Land of Smiles." Over twenty years ago, my family fled our war-ravaged country of Laos in search of hope and the promise of a better future. I was actually born in Thailand (not in the fancy hospitals), but in a refugee camp near the Thai-Lao border. And while I was raised to learn and speak the Lao language, I also happened to pick up Thai along the way all thanks to my wonderful parents who luckily believed in the importance of mastering my native tongue. And although I remember little of my time as a child there, I do know that I'll be returning back to this place.

The trip was memorable from start to finish and if I could have bottled up all the flavors and scents and placed it securely in a spice jar and brought it back with me, I would have done so in a heartbeat. But lucky for you b/c I have tons of pictures to share, so soak it all up and sit back and enjoy!


Renowned for its pristine aquamarine waters and the beautiful island of Koh Phi Phi, making it a perfect haven for hedonistic paradise, this portion of Southern Thailand definitely lives up to its name. Unfortunately, we were there during monsoon season (darn!---should have not skimmed that chapter of Lonely Planet), we were pretty much confined to the coast rather than the islands. The limited hours of sunshine would constantly tease us throughout the entire day and around 3 or 4pm, the thunder clouds would move in within the blink of an eye and pelt us with giant raindrops.

Normally, I would have been utterly disappointed, but I wasn't and I owe it all to the deliciously decadent array of Thai cuisine. And usually, I would have thought twice about ordering what is seemingly 'authentic' Thai food at a Western hotel like the Sheraton, but I really had no other choice--thank goodness!

NOTE to YOU: If you find yourself in Thailand, definitely do not scoff at the hotel dining options b/c the chefs are Thai and they serve up the most beautiful and flavorful dishes you'll ever feast on. Their attention to detail, impeccable service and authenticity of each savory morsel that I popped into my mouth was beyond words. Food-wise, it's an A++ in my book. We dined on papaya salad nearly every day of our vacation and I happily gorged myself on tamarind-flavored mojitos.



































 And then Chiang Mai:
Serene, lush landscape that beckons a closer look and more time devoted to visiting the Wat Doi Suthep (temple) & local hilltribe villages; lazily drifting down the Mae Nam Ping river on bamboo rafters; and exploring the Sunday night market for handcrafted trinkets. The bountiful rows of longan trees kept me glued to the windows along our drive to the Mae Vang elephant camp.  Boy, I was really tempted to feign a potty break just so I could pluck me some fresh longans.  But, my conscience won over my glutton tendencies (Darn you, Jiminy Cricket!)

Again, I can ramble on endlessly about how great the local street food is or how I could have packed my own personal street vendor into my carry-on bag, but I'll just entertain you with the images themselves so you can gawk and drool over your keyboards (and not mine). 



Bangkok and the Rachaburi Floating Market:

We wandered over to the popular 'back packer's district' along the infamous Khaosan Road in Bangkok for some yummy street food. Although frequented by many European tourists, the area is a must-see for those who want cheap deals on vintage-style T-shirts, made-to-order phad Thai and icy cold drinks. Personally, I couldn't get enough of the fresh fruit vendors carting spicy green mangoes, sun-ripened watermelons, pineapples, picked gooseberries and golden papayas. I love how they nestle the fruits on top of shaved ice to keep them nice and refreshing. All this for less than $1 (USD)--of course, I'd get 3 mangos at a time.

If you happen to go during the right hours, you can also find papaya salad carts that come with warm sticky rice and grilled/fried chicken wings. I think I could have sat here the entire day had it not been for the treacherous heat and humidity that permeates the entire weather system in Thailand, but you can definitely get a really nice breeze being whisked along the khlongs (canals) of the the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Get there early and you'll have plenty of time for photo ops and endless eating. I love how the fruit vendors have the cutest and most visually appealing boats with their bundles of fresh crimson rambutans, golden starfruits, green guavas, cherries, longans, mangosteens & dragonfruits.

I know, I know..my dear readers, I've neglected you for too long.  Well, for good reason, of course!  After a much-needed vacation in (South) East Asia this past month, I've finally gotten over being jet-lagged and picked my butt out from lounging in la la land to the world of the blogosphere.  I'm back and with more goodies for you to feast your eyes on.  So, knock yourself out!

While the food left me mildly satiated, the historical landscape of Beijing surpassed all of my expectations. The city is the embodiment of what China used to be before its heavily Westernized influences (such as the case in Shanghai with its towering skyscrapers and modernized structures). The architectural details found in Beijing, including the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, is symbolic of the special attention paid to balance and symmetry--beckoning true labor of love. And then, there was the Great Wall. The name pretty much sums it all up, so I won't go into detail about that. Again, color me highly impressed with the landscape of Beijing.  The city will blow you away (but just be sure you know somebody who can speak Mandarin).

I absolutely adore the month of June!  Besides the fact that I graced the world with my presence (thanks, mom & dad!), June has always been synonymous with celebrations for me--what with graduation parties, the end of my first year in business school and the onset of a spectacular summery wine season, there's so many reasons to love June. I'm dedicating the next few series of posts to my celebratory experiences. So, brace yourselves!

Peju Province Winery:  Situated right off of Highway 29 in the Rutherford Valley, my previous experience at Peju was less than spectacular, but this time around defiinitely proved that second chances can be a real charm.  Usually, large groups on the weekends will need to make an appointment for tastings, but our robust group of 9 were greeted warmly by their  friendly staff.  Our pourer  knowledgeable about each and every wine he poured (which is really the only way it should be) and entertained us with stories of each wine's orgins.  The Classic Tasting included both reds & whites and he even threw in some extras (of their new release)  based on our individual preferences.  I bought myself a bottle of their Provence (to complement my spicy papaya salads) and '09 Carnival (for when I'm snacking on a yummy teacake and sweet golden peaches).  My friend, T, ended up purchasing 20 varietal bottles--it's okay, she says it's for her family (they're pretty serious about their wine :) 

Great For:  If you love reds or whites that be easily paired with a light steak salad or chicken/seafood dish.  However, if you prefer more robust and peppery notes in your wines, then keep moving :) Below, the Pink wine where 10% of sales proceeds would go towards breast cancer research.



And then a final stop into Cakebreak Cellars.  Eventhough the gentleman at the entrance told us they had already closed their tasting hours, we sauntered in and my friends were treated to a complimentary glass of their Sauvignon Blanc.  I missed out on this opportunity (but stole a few sips from Lisa's glass) b/c I was busy capturing the shots that you see at the top of my blog (and right below).  Ah, sacrifices for the sake of my blog. It was so worth it b/c the sunlight was perfect!


As much as I love fine dining, I must say that service is tantamount in my book (right there next to flavor).  You ever take me to a place where the people look at you as if they've got better things to do than serve you, I start bolting for the door. No joke.  And b/c of this, picking a new restaurant to try is that much more difficult b/c when I'm hungry, I do not want to be disappointed (or else I turn into a little dragon with flames flaring out of my nostrils.  Okay, that may be a slight exaggeration, but hey, it's my blog, so I'll fill it with metaphors if I wish--haha!  :)  Luckily for me, that didn't happen this past weekend.

For my belated birthday dinner, I chose something different:  French cuisine at the newly opened Bistro Central Parc in the NOPA district of San Francisco.  A quaint little bistro located in an unassuming corner of a residential neighborhood near a laundromat of all places, the Bistro is a little gem of a find.  Warm and inviting with all the charm of a local mom & pop restaurant sans the pretentiousness you'd expect from fancy French dining, I was quite impressed!  The entire night was oozing with hearty comfort and oohs & aahs over the chef's skillful culinary presentation, to sum it all up in one hyphenated made-up word: Uh-MAZE-ing!!!  Let me show you just how much:

Behold: Salmon tartare with fresh dill and parsley wrapped in gravlax and topped w/caviar.  I know what you're thinking..this just looks too good to taste good, right? Welp, whaddaya know? The food here tastes even BETTER than it looks. I kid you, NOT!


I have to say that the MOST deliciously creamy risotto is served up here.  My friends each ordered the scallops w/lobster sauce and shitake mushroom risotto and I had a chance to sample both.  I'm not sure what heavenly pint of cream they use to prepare this dish, but it's decadent. Creamy to just the right consistency and the scallops were seared to genius-level perfection.  I could have licked both plates and cleaned them by making swirls with my fingertips, but unfortunately, the plates were not mine (darn!).



Hearty Southern French-style seafood bouillabaisse w/clams, mussels, fresh fish and potatoes

And did I mention how wonderfully cordial and heartwarming the chef/owner and staff were at the Bistro? It honestly felt like I had stepped foot into a family restaurant where everybody knew my name and really cared about the food and its preparation.  Several times throughout our dinner, Chef Jacque came by to welcome us and check up on how we were enjoying our experience.  And then, the best surprise of all was when they made the entire restaurant croon Happy Birthday to me by closing the lights right when they bought out my creme brulee.  Awe..so sweet. It was like I was at my grandparent's house. 

So, you're probably wondering if I ever get a chance to cook these days since my posts have centered primarily on my eating adventures outside of my home.  Well, the answer is yes, but not as much as I'd like to nowadays. I'm wrapping up my first year in business school (whoo-hoo!) and it's another week of finals, so blogging has been a feat eventhough I manage to take pictures of my meals.

This past weekend, my mom prepared a wonderfully traditional Lao dish:  meat stew with fresh dill and Thai green eggplants (otherwise known in my language as Aw Seen Sai Puk See kup Maak Keuy.  So hearty and oh-so-GOOD!  You have to eat it with piping, hot sticky rice and it's only as great as the bounty of fresh vegetables that you have around.  As I was washing the baby lettuce, cucumbers, dill and other baby greens, I couldn't help but gush over how much I love this time of year when you can wander into my local grocer and go bonkers over the fresh produce lining the aisles.  It can honestly make a gal like me do cartwheels (in my head, that is).

I'm just posting the pictures for now, but if you want the recipe, you'll have to wait until after I've (successfully) battled my finals this coming week. Wish me luck!



Oh yeah, we always have many interesting tastebuds in my family, so my dad really wanted some grilled fish stuffed with fresh chilis, dill and tender, feathery fronds of theThai cha-om (a fragrant herb grown in Thailand & Laos) plant. It was quite yummy.

Yep, you're staring smack dab into just a part of my dinner from this past weekend. And yes, I, too, needed a bib while snapping this shot.

Last week ended with a few notable experiences and as always, nothing short of amazing.  I'll be among the first to let you in on a little snippet of what's been going on behind my blog.  As a featured publisher with FoodBuzz, I had the opportunity to debut my first on-camera self for a marketing video that they're in the midst of producing for their company.   I didn't know what to expect when I stumbled on set (a real, live set with cameras, lights and a director's chair to boot), but I was greeted with the sweetest crew ever and couldn't have asked for a more positive and memorable experience to showcase my blog and my love for food and of course..FoodBuzz!!  I had butterflies swarming in my tummy when I first got into the hot seat, but quickly warmed up to the camera.  My hubby was on hand to lend his support and I met such wonderful fellow food bloggers, the day couldn't have began on a more perfect note.  I left feeling even more jazzed about my blog (although, I must admit that my head might have gained an extra inch or so in its circumference from all flattering remarks I received on my performance).  Don't worry.  Should this blog become something more than my own foodie obsession, I shall not forget all my devoted fans--and if you're reading this, I'm talking to you!

So, did I venture into San Francisco just to have my 15 (actually 30 minutes) in the spotlight? If you know me, you already know the answer.  Heck no!  Actually, my hubby and I were in the City to celebrate the first portion of our wedding anniversary.  I say first b/c the 2nd portion is to be continued in our summer travel adventures (so, make sure you stay tuned during the upcoming months). 

I'm going to make this short and sweet b/c like you, I am skimming blogs for the visuals.  So, here you go!


Lunch at Luna Park in the Mission District:  Grilled, beer marinated half chicken w/arugula, grape tomato and avocado salad and roasted fingerling potatoes.  The mussels were delish! and cooked in a wine broth sprinkled with fresh chilis, cilantro and lime and served with a side of fries.  Okay, I'm in love with the metal measuring cup the fries were served in---so easy to please, I am.


And then the MOST out-of-this-world dining at 5A5 Steak Lounge in the Financial District of SF.  I've eaten at many lavish steak establishments and tried many cuts of beef, but I must attest to the quality, ambience and service at 5A5: 5 Stars ALL arround!

I had done some yelping and googling the night prior and made the reservation (with my fingers crossed and all).  The hubby hasn't dined on a really great steak or rib-eye since our time in Hawaii, so I figured this would be it.  And boy, it was!  We arrived for an early dinner and the service from start to finish was impeccable.  Our water glasses were constantly being refilled w/o either of us having to ask and each time one of us got up from the table, we'd return with our dinner napkins neatly folded and placed back on the table.  Not only that, but our waitress was incredibly knowledgeable about EVERY aspect of the menu and even started with an orientation of what to sample and consider.  And yes, the decor and ambience is a bit more on the swankier, modern contemporary side, but the service lacks the pretentiousness that a typical place like this would garner. 

Our Menu for the Evening:
--Himachi Shooters w/ponzu dressing
--Warm house-made bread w/bacon bits
--Lobster tempura (that's the 1st picture you saw)
--Dayboat scallops w/fennel, prosciutto & black bean sauce
--Bone-in ribeye with bbq demi glaze
--Australian kobe beef
--Macha green tea doughnuts w/homemade peach ice cream

NOTE on KOBE:  I've only heard about Kobe beef, its origins in Japan, and the tender love and care that farmers pay to their prized Wagyu cattle by massaging and feeding them the best.  Because of the way these cattle are raised, they produce the most tender and well-marbled beef you'll ever taste.  I have to say that I was a skeptic and really couldn't understand what all the fuss was about until I bit into my first sliver of Kobe beef.  Damn!  It was THAT good..if not more!  Yes, it is pricey, but a small 8 oz. steak will have you singing showtunes in no time...well, that or humming to whatever the cast of GLEE just sang.  Either way, it is definitely worth every bit of what it's cracked up to be. 

So I went.  Okay, so it was really to celebrate J's birthday, but I went to see you.  It was a blind date and we only met briefly, but you've totally won me over..deeply.  It was short, yet sweet and here I am back in California still tempted to return.  Your amazing architectural icons took my breath away--little by little--I found myself completely captivated by your charm.  From the grandiose John Hancock Tower that took me miles above the city to the gothic castles that made up the University of Chicago, I was beyond mesmerized.  Your neighborhoods in Wicker Park, Andersonville and those nestled by Lincoln Park made me envision how happy I could be running through the city, wind whispering in my ear as I  make my way along Lake Shore Drive, while crooning jubilantly towards Lake Michigan.  Yes, I could really be happy with you, Chicago.

And until we meet again, here are my best memories of you.

Wicker Park/Bucktown:  Big Star Mexican Food (no signs at all, just happy people dining al fresco)

**Walking along an up and coming Wicker Park, the first thing that caught my eye were the mustard yellow chairs in front of a remodeled gas station that serves up the freshest fish tostados, pork belly tacos and mini glasses of Schlitz beer to wash down the goodness.  By far, the best meal of my trip--cheap, quick and so much fun!**


Making our way to Millenium Park.  The entire park felt like I had just wandered on to the set of Alice in Wonderland.  The neatly manicured hedges adorned with vibrant lavender-, rose- and tangerine-colored tulips made me want to set up tea time right smack in the middle of the park.  Oh, if only, right?  And then there was the "Bean" (or formally known as Cloud Gate).  Now a Chicago landmark, this was the hub of touristy activity.  Of course, yours truly just wanted to take a peek.


The Chicago Water Tower was the only building to withstand the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. 

And of course, dinner at Reza's Restaurant in the lovely neighborhood of Andersonville thanks to our native Chicago tour guide, Rose. We feasted on a huge family dinner that consisted of herb roasted feta cheese w/tomatoes and black olives, baba ghannoouj, grilled (moist and soo tender) chicken & beef skewers, dill rice and possibly the most buttery chunk of grilled Chilean sea bass I've ever tasted.  I was filled to the brim after this extravaganza and if I recall, I think I may have had to unbutton a few buttons to make room for my extra belly.  The portions were ginormous, but our waitress could have benefited from a bit more practice.  After dinner, Rose gave us a personal whirlwind tour of much of Chicago and I can honestly say the womyn knows her city (and her food)! 


And then of course, capping off our weekend with our hostess through the outskirts of Hyde Park and the University of Chicago campus.  If there's any campus on your list of places to visit, U of Chicago has got to be one of them.  Taking a cue from our bus driver into Cottage Grove, we took the scenic path on foot towards the University and had an amazing time.  The gothic structural castle-like wonders teeming with ivy are drool-worthy for anyone who appreciates a dose of beauty (and may even cause you to imagine that you're among royalty or even gargoyles for that matter) and the lush green sycamore trees that line the entire block will simply knock your socks off.